Kunak: Tighter control and enhancement of security along the coast in Sabah's East Coast is really needed following the recent spate of kidnappings.

Kunak Assemblyman, Datuk Nilwan Kabang, said this requires cooperation from everyone including from those living along the coast.

Supporting the nine new drastic measures that were announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, he said it is not only for the safety of the tourists but also investors, residents in the localities and the public in general.

"Because of the huge size of our maritime areas, there should be security control posts where at certain hours, control of movements or entry and exit of people and water crafts must be enforced," he said.

He said that concrete, continuous and integrated effort and the necessary mechanism that is the core to ensure security must also be enhanced.

Kunak, he said, is among the 10 districts under Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and a neighbour between Semporna and Lahad Datu.

He said the district is also known for its aquaculture sector where locals are involved in low-scale fish, prawn, seaweed and sea cucumber farming.

"The government has identified the marine locations in Silam and Bakapit as areas with high potential in aquaculture industry," he said.

Nilwan said the kidnapping of a fish farm employee from China on Tuesday occurred near Pulau Baik, close to Silam.

He said it was the second abduction case involving Chinese nationals within a period of one month this year.

A female university student from Shanghai was abducted from Singamata Reef Resort on Apr 2.